A note from Matt.....
This month is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, CP is the most common motor disability in childhood, where it effects one out of 323 children. However, like with most disabilities, each person's disability is different and their needs are different. In this edition, we tell you about Anthony Merchante, who uses a service animal for both his seizures and other needs.
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DIG in the news
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Out and About with DIG
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3/29/17
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Jacobus tenBroek Conference
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Baltimore, MD
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4/18/17
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FL Fair Housing Summitt
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Orlando, FL
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4/21/17
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ABC's of ESA's (tentative)
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New Orleans, LA
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4/27/17
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Fair Housing Act Workshop
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Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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5/4/17
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2017 Florida Guardian Ad Litem Disabilities Training Conference
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Orlando, FL
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TBD
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Disability employment policies and ADA compliance for Best Buddies
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Miami, FL
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6/17/17
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Family Cafe
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Orlando, FL
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6/22/17
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FL Bar Conference
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Boca Raton, FL
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8/29/17
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FL Recreation & Parks Association
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Orlando, FL
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11/16/17
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Give Miami Day 2017
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Online Event
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Pictures
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| Lucy helping Debbie with her work. |
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Lisa and Kailea after depositions.
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| Sharon with Debbie Gibson and Jessica, the amazing interpreters at the Vagina Monologues. |
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The DIG team supporting Casa Valentina and the Vagina Monologues.
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Lisa teaching a girl scout troop about disability rights and support animals.
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Litigation Update: Mr. Rosario
By:
Matthew Dietz
Most times when a person requests a reasonable accommodation or a modification because of a disability, the accommodation or modification
assists a person to live independently or lessens the effect of a disability. Many of these accommodations cost nothing to a provider, yet may mean the difference between living independently and living in an assisted living facility or nursing home, or as this case, the difference between life and death.
Morgan & Morgan's Belvin Perry, Jr., and Disability Independence Group's Matthew Dietz announce a groundbreaking $400,000 disability rights settlement with the Orlando Housing Authority that could help improve reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. Discrimination based upon disabilities make
up over 50 percent of all fair housing complaints, including reasonable accommodation or modification denials. For a federally subsidized housing provider, such as the Orlando Housing Authority, the subsidized housing provider has the obligation to pay for and provide a modification to the premises (such as a roll in shower or permanent ramp), or an accommodation by a change in a rule, such as a larger apartment to accommodate a live in aide, or relocation to a first floor apartment.
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The Long Dog Walk to Justice.
By:
Matthew Dietz
In 2009, Ehlena Fry, an eight-year-old girl, living with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy,
obtained "Wonder" a specially trained and certified service dog who helps Ehlena with retrieving dropped items, helping her balance when she uses her walker, opening and closing doors, turning on and off lights, helping her take off her coat, helping her transfer to and from the toilet. Wonder also helps Ehlena to develop independence and confidence and helps her bridge social barriers. She was denied permission to bring her service animal to her Ohio public school, and it took eight years to finally receive vindication of her rights from the United States Supreme Court to bring her service animal to school under the ADA on February 22, 2017. The main issue in the case is whether she was required to exhaust administrative procedures under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to bring claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Two years earlier, on February 10, 2015, Disability Independence Group v
indicated seven year old, Anthony Merchante's rights to bring his service animal to school under the ADA. Like Ehlena, Anthony Marchante lives with cerebral palsy and is highly prone to seizures. His medium-sized terrier service dog, Stevie, alerts others to oncoming convulsions and helps calm the boy by licking his face. Stevie was prescribed by Anthony's neurologist at Miami Children's Hospital and is part of Anthony's treatment protocol. In order to be a service animal, the dog must have a temperament that allows it to stay focused on its job.
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I might be in a wheelchair, but I don't just sit on my ass.
I recently went on Medicare, Social Security Disability Income, Florida Managed Medical Assistance Medicaid, and Florida Long Term Care Medicaid. Sometimes it truly feels like a full time job just juggling all of these benefit programs. The most vital of these programs and the hardest to obtain is Florida Long Term Care Medicaid. This programs is what gives me the care I need to do the things that most can do independently. Medicare and Florida Managed Medical Assistance Medicaid are great programs that cover traditional medical expenses just like typical health insurance that most can purchase or receive from an employer. Since I have worked in the past and earned income credits I receive a check from the federal government in the form Social Security Disability Income which is wonderful, but not nearly enough to cover my living expenses.
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Kids Crusaders Corner
By: Julie Fioravanti
Julie will be back soon with a new story.
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Miami Inclusion Alliance
By: Sharon Langer
My column usually describes statistics about the intersection of domestic violence and sexual assault and disability or describes gaps and barriers to help for persons with disability. This month, in honor of Cerebral Palsy Month, I wanted to share some positive initiatives. The following is a statement from End Abuse of People with Disabilities.
The End Abuse of People with Disabilities website
is managed by the Center on Victimization and Safety (CVS) at the Vera Institute of Justice.
Click here to read more
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If you are interested in volunteering please contact Sharon Langer at
[email protected].
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I have been exploring other channels then just my usuals and found myself on Freeform f/k/a ABC Family lately and I have been seeing commercials for a show called Switched at Birth. Disclaimer: I have yet to see an episode so I have no idea if the show is good. But has been around since 2011- probably evident that it is a good show.
You're probably wondering where my intrigue stems from since I have only seen commercials Well, from the looks of the commercials, one of the main characters and some of the other characters communicate in American sign language. As you may know, many of the cases we litigate involve effective communication for our deaf clients.
Click here to read more
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Are you a SSDI or SSI beneficiary? How a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) or benefits planner can help you?
If you receive Social Security benefits and you have a job or are looking for one, there are specially trained professionals known as Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWIC) to help you make sense of complex employment and benefit-related issues.
For additional questions please call the TTW help line
at 1-866-968-7842 / 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday from 8:00AM - 8:00PM EST. For general inquiries, you may e-mail
[email protected]
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The View From Here
By:
Justine Chichester
Perspective. I once heard it said that perspective is the way we see things when we look at them from a certain distance and that allows us to appreciate their value.
I never could have anticipated how different living life as a wheelchair user could be. After coming home from the hospital, one of the first social outings I had was a night out at a restaurant for my friend's birthday. At this point, I had been home for awhile and I felt like I successfully tackled many of the challenges I faced just getting dressed, putting on my shoes, putting on makeup; all of which can be daunting when you are living with a spinal cord injury. But I had not yet been out and about in a social setting. Nothing could have prepared me for how strange I would feel socializing in a seated position while everyone stood tall around me.
Click here to read more
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The Wallet Card Project
By: Deborah Dietz
The wallet card is a tool for young adults or adults to use when come into contact with law enforcement; either as a victim, a witness, or as a potential suspect.
The wallet card will help to clarify any interaction with law enforcement so that the behavior of the person with a disability is not misinterpreted as suspicious or as criminal behavior.
Click here to sign up for a wallet card
The Wallet Card Project is a collaboration with DIG, CGPD, and UM-NSU CARD.
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Laughter is the best medicine!
Life is a mix of sweet and sour, good and bad days. It's easy as a person with a disability to become inundated by life's challenges - especially since we have a bit more to overcome than the average Joe. Just this morning on my way to work, I had to quickly change plan to avoid the impending rain - a big no-no for a motorized wheelchair user. There are a number of different disabilities people have, many that start at birth, some that progress throughout life and those due to accidents. Cerebral Palsy is a permanent movement disorder that appears in early childhood. Symptoms of the disability can include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. Many individuals with CP also experience difficulty swallowing, with their vision and often times with speech. There are also incidents where seizures and challenges with thinking or reasoning can be a challenge.
Click here to read more
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Your Upward Journey
In a nutshell, Your Upward Journey: It Is Easier Than You Think!, is a three-part project (book, self-help seminars and merchandise sale). I intend to promote the book through self-help seminars and sale of merchandise, such as mugs, journals etc.
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A Parcel of Penguins
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For more information about DIG and to find out how you can be involved, please call or email our Executive Director,
Debbie Dietz at 305-669-2822 or
[email protected].
Disability Independence Group, Inc.
Expanding Opportunities for Person with Disabilities
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Thank you to the organizations that support our projects.
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